José Manuel Barroso

The European Union is to boost the financial aid it allocates to Moldova in support of its commitment to reforms, the leader of the bloc's mission to the country said.

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned that more countries could be targeted by infringement procedures over South Stream if they breach the rules.

His comments made at a G-7 press conference follow the Commission's decision earlier this week to launch a procedure against Bulgaria for non-compliance of the South Stream pipeline section with EU legislation.

President Rosen Plevneliev called on the government to explain whether it intends to comply with EU legislation on the South Stream gas pipeline.

Plevneliev cast doubt on the sincerity of the promises Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski made to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at their meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

BRUSSELS - The EU will help Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina overcome the consequences of recent floods, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said after an informal summit of European leaders in Brussels.

EC President Barroso has told Prime Minister Oresharski that the EC will take action against Bulgaria due to non-observance of EU rules in the South Stream agreements.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Plamenr Oresharski will pay a one-day visit to Brussels, Tuesday.

Oresharski will meet with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and will take part in the unofficial dinner of the Heads of State and Government of the EU member states, the press service of the government announced.

By Paul Taylor

Draped down the side of the European Commission's headquarters, a 13-storey-tall banner urged citizens to vote in the European Parliament elections, proclaiming in English, French and Dutch: "This time it's different."

Well maybe, but maybe not.

PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos (photo) on Tuesday laughed off a Financial Times report that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had a hand in the creation of a three-party interim government led by ex-central banker Lucas Papademos in late 2012.

EC President Jose Barroso has told Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Chair of Bulgarian party GERB, that the South Stream gas pipeline has not been given priority treatment in Europe.

Six EU commissioners will take temporary electoral leave in April as part of their candidacies for May's European elections.